He already had spoken to his fraternal twin brother, Joe, who told him they would be sharing their birthday with his newborn daughter Myla.

And they were a month away from fighting on the same card at UFC 172.

Life was lining up perfectly.

Then on his drive home to Orange County, Jake Ellenberger took a call from UFC President Dana White, who broke the news that Tarec Saffeidine, Ellenberger’s opponent at UFC 172, was injured. Their fight was off.

Life suddenly was off-track.

But White had another offer: a fight against top-ranked Robbie Lawler one month later at UFC 173.

“There was no hesitation at all. He’s one of the best guys in the division,” Ellenberger (29-7) said of Lawler (22-10), whom he will face today at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. “It’s where I want to be. Didn’t take much thought.”

And life is shaping up again.

“I kind of had to take a step back and process what happened,” Ellenberger, 29, said. “I’m trying to process all these different emotions. But all good things. All great things to take away. Just one of those crazy weeks.

“But now it’s time to really focus specifically on Robbie and still continue to build that strategy.”

Joe Ellenberger’s opponent also got injured just three days before UFC 172, and his fight was scrapped, too. Joe Ellenberger will make his UFC debut against Frank Trevino at UFC Fight Night 44 on June 28 in San Antonio.

Jake Ellenberger, meanwhile, has gone from preparing for the 10th-ranked welterweight in the UFC to one of the sport’s heaviest hitters who just fought for the interim title in February. He lost to Johny Hendricks via unanimous decision at UFC 171.

The way the fifth-ranked Ellenberger sees it, once you get to a certain level every fight is tough.

“Robbie’s definitely more well-known. I was at his fight in Dallas with Johny Hendricks. There was a lot of good things I could take away from that fight,” Ellenberger said. “I’ve been fighting against top guys for a long period of time. It really just comes down to specific strategy and focusing on that.

“It’s definitely an exciting time to be in the welterweight division.”

The former two-time Division II All-American at University of Nebraska-Kearney knew he had the wrestling down. And no one questions his power. He has gone 8-3 in the UFC with five KO/TKO victories. His eight knockdowns are second-best in division history.

But Jake Ellenberger knew there was more to do. At the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, he got to know trainer Edmond Tarverdyan, who was there with UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.

After a few pointers and sessions on striking, Ellenberger was sold.

“I was like, ‘This guy’s brilliant. He’s really smart,’ ” he said. “And the more I worked with him, the more I wanted to work with him more often. We really clicked.”

Ellenberger soon was making the commute from Orange County to Glendale three times a week.

For Tarverdyan, it meant bringing some polish to the pop.

“Sometimes he gets off-balance when he throws punches. And his legs are not under him,” said Tarverdyan, who in addition to Rousey also trains boxers with world championships on their resumes. “I believe boxing has a lot to do with your footwork and your balance and your legs. And we’ve been working on that and placing shots better, and his balance is looking way better.”

Tarverdyan said Ellenberger’s respectful personality and work ethic have made it easy. A game plan is in place and they are well aware of Lawler’s explosive hands. He has finished 18 of his 22 victories by strikes.

“Styles make fights and it’s a great fight,” Tarverdyan said. “It’s a great matchup because both of them are big punchers and that’s what the fans want to see. It’s gonna be an exciting fight and Jake’s ready. Very well-prepared mentally.”

Ellenberger backs that last sentiment. The education has boosted his state of mind.

“I’ve probably seen or learned something new every single time I’ve worked with him that I’ve never seen before, and I’ve been fighting for nine years,” he said. “It’s cool to kind of have that confidence and to know what you’re doing is working.”

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